The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has placed 14 referees and assistant referees on temporary suspension pending review over various controversial decisions since the commencement of the current Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

A letter dated November 6, 2023, and sent to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NPFL by the NFF Refereeing Development Committee/Unit, was seen by Peoples Gazette – it documented the names of affected match officials and confirmed their immediate suspension until the committee can review the decisions.

“Sir, sequel to the perceived poor performances of referees/assistant referees in the under-listed NPFL matches, we are obliged to step down the specifically affected match official in the line of decision in such instant cases until when the appropriate technical evaluation of such decisions are determined to be either right or wrong,” the letter read.

The listed affected officials are referee Bawa Buhari, citing the matchday two fixture between Niger Tornadoes and Rivers United, Chukwuka Jahlove and assistant referee Akinwale Tomiwa, who were the match officials for the matchday four game between Niger Tornadoes and Bayelsa United.

Zachariah Nde, the assistant referee in the matchday five between Sporting Lagos and Niger Tornadoes, is also on the list, likewise Saeed Abdulaziz and Jimmy Aimugbonrie, the referee and the assistant in the matchday five encounter involving Gombe United and Plateau United.

Referee Brown Ebenezer and assistant referee Atuwho Morrison, who officiated Kwara United’s matchday six home game against Sporting Lagos, all the four match officials involved in the matchday six fixture between Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors in which a late controversial penalty was awarded to the Owena Whales have been suspended too.

Also, referee Imamu Maliki and assistant Sunday Azi, who were involved in the most recent controversy after a goal by Remo Stars in the match against Bendel Insurance on Sunday, were surprisingly ruled out with the match officials citing a foul throw-in in the build-up to the goal.

However, footage of that goal confirmed no foul was committed during the throw-in.

“Furthermore, the committee would very much appreciate if the full video of these matches are provided to the committee for proper evaluation of decisions and performances of these officials,” the letter said.

Conversation among football fans on social media since the season began in September has been centred around several questionable calls made by match officials in several games, prompting several calls for the league management to review the performances of the referees and the decisions that were made.

Meanwhile, the latest development by the refereeing committee will be a huge relief for the fans who have been clamouring for it. In recent years, Nigerian referees have been overlooked by FIFA and CAF for most international competitions.